Spurs notebook: Grizzlies’ Green hopes for better luck against former team

JaMychal Green appeared in four games totaling 25 minutes for the Spurs in 2014-15.

Having gone undrafted out of Alabama, Green was grateful for the opportunity.

It is a big break Green has no intention of repaying now that he’s Memphis’ starting power forward.

“It was a blessing being here, being with them first,” the 26-year-old Green said before Game 2 on Monday. “Now I really do want to beat them.”

Green spent the first half of his professional career bouncing between the Spurs and their Development League affiliate in Austin.

He made his NBA debut on Jan. 18, 2015, logging six minutes in a win over Utah.

After the Spurs let Green go later that season, he landed a 10-day contract in Memphis and hasn’t left.

“We are really happy for him because he carved out an NBA career for himself,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “He was just a young guy who was just trying to find his way, figure out what kind of player he was, what his position was. He was somebody that we really enjoyed, we just didn’t have enough room.”

Having emerged as a starter at the end of last season after an injury to Marc Gasol, Green enjoyed his best NBA campaign.

He averaged 8.9 points and 7.1 rebounds, and — important for coach David Fizdale’s offense — has brought his 3-point percentage up to 38.2 percent.

Fizdale compared Green’s makeup to that of Udonis Haslem, who played 14 seasons and won three championships in Miami.

“He’s one of my favorites,” Fizdale said of Green. “I hate to say it, but I love the kid. He’s a whatever-it-takes kind of guy. He’s tried to do everything I have asked him to do.”

Photo: Kin Man Hui /San Antonio Express-News

Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge (12) gets challenged on a shot against Memphis Grizzlies’ JaMychal Green (00) during their game at the AT&T Center on Tuesday, Apr. 4, 2017.

Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge (12) gets challenged on a shot against...

Duncan sighting: Retired Spurs superstar Tim Duncan made his first appearance of the postseason at practice, showing up to work out at Monday morning’s shootaround.

Shooting guard Danny Green joked the Spurs could sign Duncan to a “Romo deal” — referring to Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and his gimmicky one-game contract with the Dallas Mavericks last week.

“He’s still looking like we could sign him,” Green said of Duncan. “He looks like he could come back for Game 6 in the Finals or something like that and collect a ring.”

Duncan, 40, has made a handful of trips to the Spurs’ practice facility throughout the season.

His former teammates say they appreciated having Duncan’s sense of humor back in the building.

“He’s just here to make fun of everyone,” guard Patty Mills said. “He looks all nice and relaxed over there while we’re stressing out about the game plan.”